Police calls on parties to adhere to the Public Order Act

Kumasi, April 25, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, ACP Seth Charles Obeng, has reiterated the need for political parties to adhere to dictates of the Public Order Act in their political activities to ensure a healthy political environment.

ACP Oteng made the call when the Ashanti Regional Police Command acting on a directive from the Police Administration, met representatives of political parties in the region at the Police Headquarters in Kumasi on Thursday.

A statement signed by Police Inspector Mohammed Tanko, Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer and issued in Kumasi said the meeting discussed matters bordering on the organization of special events such as processions, rallies and demonstrations.

It formed part of series of activities the police in the region have lined up to interact with stakeholders in the electoral process to ensure incident free general elections on December 7. Political parties represented at the meeting were: Convention People's Party (CPP), Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Reform Democrats Party (RDP).

ACP Oteng gave the assurance that in subsequent meetings, the electoral commission would be invited to educate parties and stakeholders on their roles and responsibilities in the electoral process.

He noted that any person who intended to hold any such event must inform police in writing not less than five clear days before the event and should the police request the organizers to postpone or relocate the event, the organizers should within 48 hours notify police in writing of their willingness to comply in accordance with Section 1 Subsections 1-5 of the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491).

ACP Oteng commended the political parties, for so far demonstrating a strong commitment in helping to deepen the democratic process by remaining peaceful and law abiding.

He urged the political parties to endeavour to abreast themselves and their supporters of the Public Order Act and other relevant laws. Representatives of the political parties, commended the police for the initiative and agreed in principle to help strengthen the rapport with police, other stakeholders and among themselves.

They were unanimous in calling on the police to remain fair and neutral in their dealing with all the parties in order to further enhance their confidence in the police.